Huge asteroid to 'narrowly' miss Earth

Space rock code-named 2004 BL86 set to pass Earth on January 26 in 'near miss'
and won't be seen again for next 200 years

An image issued by NASA of a graphic showing the predicted trajectory of asteroid 2004 BL86, which will approach as close as three times the distance from the Earth to the Moon on January 26.Photo: PA/NASSA

Dr Don Yeomans, retiring head of the US space agency Nasa's Near-Earth Object Programme office at the jet propulsion laboratory in Pasadena, California, said: "Monday January 26 will be the closest asteroid 2004 BL86 will get to Earth for at least the next 200 years.

"And while it poses no threat to Earth for the foreseeable future, it's a relatively close approach by a relatively large asteroid, so it provides us a unique opportunity to observe and learn more."

Nasa’s Near-Earth Object Programme, also known as "Spaceguard", searches for objects that might potentially pose a hazard to the Earth.

The BL86 asteroid is likely to be bright enough for amateur astronomers to spot with small telescopes and strong binoculars.

Dr Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “By nightfall on the 26th, sun will be below the horizon and out of the way, giving you a good chance to look at asteroid.

“Or if you are looking on the morning of the 27th you might have time to see it before the sun rises. The coast is a good place to go, as you are away from external sources of light."

Nasa's Deep Space Network antennae at Goldstone, California, and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will be used to obtain science data and radar-generated images of the asteroid.

Dr Lance Benner, who will lead the Goldstone radar observations, said: "When we get our radar data back the day after the flyby, we will have the first detailed images.

"At present, we know almost nothing about the asteroid, so there are bound to be surprises."

It was discovered on January 30, 2004 by astronomers operating the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (Linear) survey telescope in White Sands, New Mexico, US.

“Although this particular asteroid won't get so close again for 200 years, others like it will get equally close much sooner," said British Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees.

“The Earth would need to have more than 100 times its actual diameter if it were to hit [by this astroid]".